John Wheeler, 81, of Canadian, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2023, in Canadian.

Graveside services will be held at 2 pm on Friday, December 22, at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery, with Ben Mathers and Donald Hill officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

John Everett Wheeler was born to Elmo and Lahoma Wheeler May 16, 1942, in Canadian. He attended Canadian schools, graduating from Canadian High School. John married Nancy Krehbiel on March 16, 1962. They soon settled into the home Nancy grew up in, on the Nix Ranch, raising their four boys.  Nancy said “Work” was his middle name. John was a homebody, loyal, and dedicated to his family and vocation as a steward and caretaker of the Nix Ranch. He expected you to be on time, 15 minutes early was late. He was a past member of the Canadian Rodeo Association. In a Stewardship message, Rector William Nix shared during a difficult ministry time: “John reminded me that sanity will ultimately triumph, because God brings order out of chaos. Without knowing it, at that moment John Wheeler became my spiritual director. We were all blessed with the gift of John Wheeler – Steward.”

Preceding John in death were his parents Elmo and Lahoma; son, Doug Wheeler; and sister, Nancy Knauth.

Those left to celebrate John’s memory are his wife, Nancy Wheeler of Canadian; three sons, Monty Wheeler and wife Dianne of Miami, Stacy Wheeler and wife Mary Jane of Canadian, Brandon Wheeler and wife Rae of Canadian; sister, Judy Wooton of Canadian; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many more family and friends.

Memorials may be given to the Canadian Education Foundation, Wildcat 81 Scholarship, PO Box 438, Canadian, TX 79014.